Fantasy

Dragonlance Chronicles – Vol. 2: Dragons of Winter Night – By Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , , 5 Comments

Jared,

My hesitation in starting this ambitious plan to read all of the core Dragonlance novels is nearly gone with this book. I feel the familiar fire that I had closely associated with this series and I can’t wait to read the next book.

dragonsofwinternightTitle: Dragons of Winter Night
Series: Dragonlance Chronicles; Vol. 2
Author: Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: UU, Medieval, Higher Magic, Dragons
Synopsis: The companions have been separated and the war against the dragon armies is becoming ever more desperate. But hope still blossoms.
Recommendation: Adult, maybe late teens. Any admirer of high fantasy should be familiar with this series.

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Dragonlance Chronicles – Vol. 2: Dragons of Winter Night – By Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman

RED RISING – BOOK 2: Golden Son – BY PIERCE BROWN

Jared, , , , 4 Comments

Hey Robert,

This. book. sucks.

Title: Golden Songolden_son_2015
Series: Red Rising Trilogy; Book 2
Author: Pierce Brown
Genre: Fantasy, Sci-fi
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: Alternate Future,
Synopsis: Darrow after winning the Institute is now one of the Peerless Scarred in service to Archgovener Augustus. But all is not easy for him at the Acadamy.
Recommendation: For adults only. Do not read this book, it is evil.

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RED RISING – BOOK 2: Golden Son – BY PIERCE BROWN

Fablehaven – Book 1: Fablehaven – By Brandon Mull

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , 3 Comments

Hey Jared,

I’ve decided to reread the entire Fablehaven series in preparation for the sequel series, Dragonwatch, starting on Mar.14.2017. So for the next 4 weeks it will be the rest of the series, and then I hope to have Dragonwatch read and reviewed for Mar.17.2017. I’ve pre-ordered it and so long as there isn’t shipping issues again it should all work out.

fablehavenTitle: Fablehaven
Series: Fablehaven; Book 1
Author: Brandon Mull
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth/Teen
ROTS Setting: EU, Modern, Magic, Fairies, Demons
Synopsis: Kendra and her brother, Seth, are on there way to visit their grandparents for a couple weeks. What they don’t realize is that they will be staying at Fablehaven, a sanctuary and preserve for magical creatures of all types. If they aren’t causing mischief themselves then outside entities are causing it for them. Fablehaven is a place of magic and wonder…..but also one fraught with danger.
Recommendation: Highly recommend this series. Early teens and up can easily handle this book. I advise moderate caution with younger readers as there are some darker themes.

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Fablehaven – Book 1: Fablehaven – By Brandon Mull

SPFBO Giveaway [CLOSED]

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 3 Comments

What can I say, I like free stuff. Add awesome fantasy books and we’re golden. I’ve honestly been meaning to look further into this Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off for some time now. If only to scout out some good indie books/authors to read.

Giveaway closes Feb.22.2017. The winner gets a Kindle Fire + a $50 Amazon Gift Card.

Click Here to Enter

Robert

SPFBO Giveaway [CLOSED]

Tales of the King’s Blades – Book 1: The Gilded Chain – By Dave Duncan

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , 9 Comments

Jared,

I have tried to read this series off and on for over a decade. Before this, I had read 2 but not this one. I was far too young to be reading this kind of book, but I tried anyway. With Mr. Duncan having a new book coming out (not in this series) I thought I’d test the waters again and am very glad I did.

gilded-chainTitle: The Gilded Chain
Series: Tales of the King’s Blades; Book 1
Author: Dave Duncan
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: AU, Medieval, No Higher Magic (sort of)
Synopsis: The grim school of Ironhall takes in unwanted, rebellious boys and five years later sends forth the finest swordsmen in the world, the King of Chivial‘s Blades. Bound to absolute loyalty by a magical sword-stroke through their hearts, they stand ready to defend the King or whomever else he designates against all perils, whether human or sorcerous. Each book in this trilogy stands alone, but together they make a larger story. The Gilded Chain tells of the greatest swordsman Ironhall has produced in its long history, Sir Durendal. When King Ambrose needs a Blade to accompany his agent on a dangerous mission to the far ends of the Earth, he naturally chooses young Durendal. Alas, even the plans of kings can go sadly awry . .
Recommendation: This book is intended for Adults. I highly recommend it.

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Tales of the King’s Blades – Book 1: The Gilded Chain – By Dave Duncan

Underland Chronicles – Gregor The Overlander – By Suzanne Collins

Julia, , 2 Comments

 

Hey Jared, Robert, and Readers!

The Underland Chronicles by Suzanne Collins have been part of my life since I was in 5th grade. After lunch we always had 20 minutes of quiet reading time, and then our teacher would read to us for another 20 or so. This is what she used to read, doing dramatic voices for all the characters and everything!

Title: Gregor The Overlandergregor
Series: Underland Chronicles, Vol. 1
Author: Suzanne Collins
Genre: Children’s Fantasy
Audience: Upper Elementary school
ROTS Setting: Expanded Universe, Prophetic magic, Underground Dystopian,
Synopsis: Embark on an epic adventure with Gregor and Boots  in the unknown vastness of the Underland, a place of uneasy coexistance between people and enormous sentient iterations of classic New York pests. Follow a centuries-old prophecy to find “..the one lost up ahead…”, braving turbulent waters, new nemeses, and stinky toddler diapers.
Recommendation: Love it! Recommended for 11-14 year old kids, specifically boys, as it is from a male perspective. Jared seemed to enjoy it ok, and yes, Robert, you should read it too!

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Underland Chronicles – Gregor The Overlander – By Suzanne Collins

Elantris – Short Story: The Hope of Elantris – By Brandon Sanderson

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , 2 Comments

Jared,

I’m reading this out of Arcanum Unbound, the Cosmere collection of shorts, but this is actually available on Mr. Sanderson’s website for free. But you really shouldn’t read it until you’ve read Elantris first. Normally I don’t read, let alone review, short stories. In this case it’s Sanderson and Cosmere to boot.

thehopeofelantrisTitle: The Hope of Elantris
Series: Elantris/Cosmere; Short Story
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: UU, Medieval, Higher Magic
Synopsis: New Elantris, the faded imitation of a once great city. But for once the inhabitants don’t care. They have a purpose. When outside forces have designs of their own for this forgotten place, they’ll do what they can to keep hold of their humanity.
Recommendation: Adult or late teen. The events take place during the final events of Elantris, so there are some major spoilers.

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Elantris – Short Story: The Hope of Elantris – By Brandon Sanderson

Dragon Jousters – Book 4: Aerie – By Mercedes Lackey

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , 1 Comment

Jared,

We’ve finished the first month of 2017 and I think we are off to a great start! Lets just hope we can keep it up, unlike this sad book. Comparing this book to the first, what happened?!

aerie.jpegTitle: Aerie
Series: Dragon Jousters; Book 4
Author: Mercedes Lackey
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: UU, Bronze Age, Dragons, Higher Magic
Synopsis: Kiron is now de facto leader of the Jousters for lack of a better alternative. But what role will they purpose do they fill now that there is peace? *sharp left turn* Oh look, an invasion.
Recommendation: Teen. Consistent reading level as the previous books. This book in NOT recommended. Just pretend the third is the last and they live happily ever after.

– – Spoilers – –

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Dragon Jousters – Book 4: Aerie – By Mercedes Lackey